Holland America Line announced the rollout schedule for its Microsoft Digital Workshops. The program began last April and has already been implemented on five of the cruise line’s ships: Amsterdam, Oosterdam, Westerdam, Eurodam and Noordam.Installation on 12 of the 14 ships will be completed by May 27. While the Prinsendam and Rotterdam are not currently scheduled for implementation due to itinerary lengths, Holland America ultimately aims to apply the program to the entire fleet.

“The Microsoft Digital Workshops have become among the most popular activities for all ages on our ships,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “The relationship with Microsoft has been fantastic and we are looking forward to having this well-received program across most of the fleet.”

“Providing guests with a comfortable environment where they can learn how to create, edit and share digital memories is a fun and unique way for Windows to enhance the cruise experience,” said Chip Wood, group manager, consumer segment marketing, Microsoft Corp.

The complimentary onboard workshops led by Microsoft-trained “techsperts” are designed to enable all levels of camera and computer users to take better photos, make movies, edit and create scrapbooks, as well as share digital memories through email, blogging and social networking.

The program has its own dedicated space on each ship. Guests can choose to attend all or just some of the multiple workshops, which are held daily. In addition, one-on-one coaching, called “Techspert Time,” is available for more than 20 hours each week.

Microsoft Digital Workshops will begin with the following cruise dates and ships: Zaandam, Jan. 21 in Hawaii; Maasdam, Jan. 30 in Caribbean; Zuiderdam, Feb. 17 in Caribbean; Ryndam, March 5 in Mexico; Veendam, April 27 in Panama Canal; Statendam, May 10 in Alaska; and Volendam, May 27 in Alaska.

Guests who cruise in Alaska can relive the culinary experience of the Great Land with Fresh Ketch, an Alaskan seafood feast delivered at home for friends and family to enjoy.   The innovative ‘home excursion’ brings a taste of Alaska home through a partnership with seafood specialists, Alaska Fresh Ketch.
 
Ketchikan-based Alaska Fresh Ketch serves up the ultimate in Alaskan souvenirs — wild Alaskan king salmon, halibut, smoked salmon and king crab.  With two variations, the feast for six to eight people comes wrapped in a keepsake box decorated with local artwork and filled with menus, recipes, cooking tips, special cooking tools, place cards for your table and secret sauces.  A souvenir memory book includes descriptions about the seafood, the local Alaskan fishing fleet and other facts about Alaska.
 
Available for purchase on ships in Alaska this year, it is also available online year-round at a website developed especially for Holland America Line: http://holland.alaskafreshketch.com.
 
On each cruise, guests may attend a complimentary cooking demonstration in the ship’s Culinary Arts Center—professional show kitchens installed for guests’ culinary entertainment and enrichment.  The ship’s own chef will open a box of wild seafood from Fresh Ketch and take guests step-by-step through the process of preparing a true Alaskan feast.
 
“Our Alaska cruise guests tell us that enjoying wild Alaskan seafood is a major part of their vacation experience,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “We’ve prominently featured wild Alaskan seafood on our ships’ menus, and now we’re taking it a step further and providing a convenient way for guests to take that culinary experience home as a gift or souvenir.”
 
Guests may choose from two packages — the Halibut Schooner and the Salmon Troller. The Halibut Schooner features wild Alaskan halibut as the entrée and includes appetizer portions of Alderwood-smoked sockeye salmon and wild Alaskan king salmon. The Salmon Troller features an entrée portion of wild Alaskan king salmon and appetizer portions of Alaskan king crab.  Seafood is flash-frozen to preserve its fresh flavor and texture, and all seafood is sustainably harvested in Alaska.  Each package contains six-pounds of seafood, enough to treat six to eight diners.  
 
“Fresh Ketch has done an outstanding job creating this culinary adventure,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “Besides the quality seafood, the package contains personal stories about the fishermen and fishing fleet responsible for the catch. It creates a real connection between diners and the food on the table.”
 
Guests sailing in Alaska can order the home excursion at the shore excursion desk. Guests, along with friends and family, can also place their order for either Fresh Ketch home excursion at http://holland.alaskafreshketch.com.  Each package is $294 including all shipping and handling.

Upgrade from an inside stateroom to an outside for as little as $50 — or from an outside stateroom to a verandah from $100! Book by February 28, 2009. Fares available between: Saturday, December 27, 2008 – Sunday, January 4, 2009

<!–

–>

<!–

–>

	Asia Cruises		from $1,099*
	Australia & New Zealand Cruises		from $799*
	Caribbean Cruises		from $399*
	Europe Cruises		from $2,399*
	Hawaii Cruises		from $1,099*
	Holiday Cruises		from $699*
	Mexico Cruises		from $449*
	Panama Canal Cruises		from $849*
	South America Cruises		from $749*

*Fares above do not include a fuel supplement of $9 per guest per day, with a maximum per guest of $126.00 ($4 per guest per day for 3rd or 4th guests in a stateroom, with a maximum of $56.00 per 3rd or 4th guest) and is subject to change. Please consult our website for current information. Featured fares are per person, based on double occupancy, cruise only. Fares are in U.S. dollars and include non-discountable amounts. Taxes are additional and vary according to itinerary and range from $49.39 to $532.66. For new bookings only. Subject to availability. Offers are capacity controlled, and may be modified, withdrawn or sailing dates may be substituted without prior notice. Restrictions may apply. Please refer to the appropriate Holland America brochure for full terms and conditions.

Ships’ Registry: The Netherlands.

FST: ST36334 · CST: 2034468-40 · NST: 2003-0221 · IC FST: ST36826